Best Quiet Printer 2026: Silent Printers Under 45 dB

Whisper-quiet printers that won't disturb your home office, video calls, or sleeping family members.

Updated: December 2025 | By TestMyPrinter Team

Quick Answer: Best Quiet Printer for 2026

The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is our top pick at just 44 dB - quieter than a library. For laser printing, the Brother HL-L2395DW runs at only 49 dB with a dedicated silent mode.

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Table of Contents

If you work from home, take video calls, or have family members who sleep during the day, a quiet printer isn't a luxury - it's a necessity. The difference between a 65 dB printer and a 44 dB printer is enormous. That 20 dB reduction means the quieter printer is actually 100 times less acoustically intense.

We've tested dozens of printers in 2025 and measured their real-world noise output. Many manufacturers claim "quiet operation" but few actually deliver whisper-quiet performance. Our picks below genuinely won't interrupt your concentration or disturb others in your home.

Peaceful home office environment
A quiet printer keeps your home office peaceful

Understanding Printer Noise Levels

Decibels (dB) measure sound intensity on a logarithmic scale. This means every 10 dB increase represents a 10x increase in sound intensity. Here's how printer noise compares to everyday sounds:

Sound Level Examples Printer Category
40-45 dB Quiet library, soft whisper Ultra-quiet printers
46-50 dB Quiet office, refrigerator hum Quiet printers
51-55 dB Normal conversation Average printers
56-65 dB Loud office, vacuum cleaner Noisy printers

Key insight: A 44 dB printer is roughly 100 times quieter than a 64 dB printer in terms of acoustic energy. This makes a massive difference in a home office environment.

Our Top 4 Quiet Printers for 2026

QUIETEST 44 dB

1. Epson EcoTank ET-2850

The quietest inkjet we've tested at just 44 dB - quieter than a library whisper.

Why It's Quiet:

  • + Advanced noise reduction technology
  • + No cartridge motor movement
  • + Piezoelectric printhead (not thermal)
  • + Dedicated quiet mode available

Key Specs:

  • Type: Ink Tank Color Inkjet
  • Print Speed: 10.5 ppm black
  • Noise Level: 44 dB
  • Functions: Print, Copy, Scan
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BEST ALL-IN-ONE 45 dB

2. Canon PIXMA TS6420a

Excellent all-around printer that stays quiet even during large print jobs.

Pros:

  • + 45 dB operation
  • + Compact footprint
  • + Great photo quality
  • + Wireless & AirPrint ready

Key Specs:

  • Type: Inkjet All-in-One
  • Print Speed: 13 ppm black
  • Noise Level: 45 dB
  • Functions: Print, Copy, Scan
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QUIETEST LASER 49 dB

3. Brother HL-L2395DW

The quietest laser printer with a dedicated silent mode that drops noise even further.

Pros:

  • + 49 dB standard, lower in quiet mode
  • + Fast 36 ppm printing
  • + Low cost per page
  • + Compact for a laser

Key Specs:

  • Type: Monochrome Laser
  • Print Speed: 36 ppm
  • Noise Level: 49 dB
  • Functions: Print, Copy, Scan
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BEST PORTABLE 47 dB

4. Epson WorkForce WF-110

Ultra-compact portable printer that runs on battery - perfect for quiet mobile printing.

Pros:

  • + 47 dB operation
  • + Battery powered option
  • + Ultra-compact (3.5 lbs)
  • + WiFi Direct printing

Key Specs:

  • Type: Portable Inkjet
  • Print Speed: 6.7 ppm
  • Noise Level: 47 dB
  • Weight: 3.5 lbs
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Noise Level Comparison Chart

Printer Noise Level Type Quiet Mode Price Range
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 44 dB Inkjet Yes $279
Canon PIXMA TS6420a 45 dB Inkjet Yes $129
Epson WF-110 47 dB Inkjet No $249
Brother HL-L2395DW 49 dB Laser Yes $199
Average Office Printer 55-65 dB Various Varies -
Quiet home office workspace
A quiet printer helps maintain focus in your home office

Inkjet vs Laser: Which is Quieter?

Inkjet Printers (Quieter)

Inkjet printers are generally quieter because:

  • Fewer moving parts: No fuser unit or drum
  • No heating element: Inkjets spray ink, not heat toner
  • Smaller motors: Less mechanical noise
  • Typical range: 44-50 dB

Best for: Color printing, photos, quiet environments

Laser Printers (Faster)

Laser printers are louder because:

  • Fuser heating: Generates noise during warmup
  • Drum mechanism: Rotating parts create sound
  • Fan cooling: Required to prevent overheating
  • Typical range: 49-55 dB

Best for: High-volume text documents, speed priority

Our recommendation: If noise is your primary concern, choose an inkjet. If you need speed and low running costs for text documents, the Brother HL-L2395DW's quiet mode makes laser acceptable.

How Quiet Mode Works

Many modern printers include a "quiet mode" or "silent mode" feature. Here's what it does:

What Quiet Mode Changes:

  • 1.
    Reduced Print Speed: The printer moves paper more slowly, reducing mechanical noise by 5-10 dB. A 36 ppm printer might drop to 18 ppm.
  • 2.
    Slower Motor Operation: Motors run at lower RPM, creating less vibration and humming.
  • 3.
    Extended Warmup: Laser printers heat up more gradually, reducing fan noise.
  • 4.
    Reduced Fan Speed: Cooling fans operate at minimum necessary levels.

The trade-off is always speed. If you need maximum quiet, accept that jobs will take 2x longer. For most home office users, this is an excellent trade-off.

Tips for Reducing Printer Noise

Placement Tips

  • + Place on a solid, stable surface (not hollow desk)
  • + Use a rubber mat underneath to absorb vibration
  • + Keep away from walls that could amplify sound
  • + Consider a printer cabinet with sound dampening

Operational Tips

  • + Enable quiet mode during video calls
  • + Batch print jobs instead of one at a time
  • + Schedule large print jobs during breaks
  • + Keep the printer well-maintained

Frequently Asked Questions

How loud is a typical office printer?

A typical office printer runs at 55-65 dB, similar to normal conversation or a vacuum cleaner at a distance. The quietest printers operate at 40-50 dB, comparable to a quiet library.

Are inkjet or laser printers quieter?

Inkjet printers are generally quieter than laser printers because they have fewer moving parts and don't require heating elements. The quietest inkjets operate at 44-47 dB, while quiet lasers are around 49-53 dB.

Do printers have a quiet mode?

Yes, many modern printers include a quiet or silent mode that reduces print speed to minimize noise, often lowering output by 5-10 dB. This feature is common on Brother, Epson, and Canon printers.

Can a printer disturb a video call?

Standard printers at 55-65 dB can definitely be picked up by microphones during video calls. Printers under 50 dB are usually quiet enough to not cause issues, especially if you're not directly next to them.

Why are laser printers louder than inkjets?

Laser printers have more mechanical components including a rotating drum, fuser unit that heats up, and cooling fans. These create more noise than the simpler inkjet mechanism that just moves a printhead and sprays ink.

Ready for Whisper-Quiet Printing?

The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 delivers the quietest operation we've tested at just 44 dB.

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